Life Style Can Help in The Sharpening of Memory
Importance of good memory in human life is well known. Sharp memory is regarded as a sign of brilliance and intellectual talents, which, in turn, are regarded as the key factors of progressive life. An illuminated mind inspires and guides the path of development and leads to success in chosen endeavors.
Complaints of lack of mental concentration and fading memory or amnesia are heard quite frequently these days. Apart from its obvious negative effects on the materialist and worldly activities, weak or short memory also suppresses the possibilities of spiritual growth. Lack of memory often causes mental illusions that lead to misinterpretations and failure in worldly as well as spiritual efforts.
Many a times, we see that even qualified professionals are unable to do well because of short or dim memory. Howsoever learned a teacher or lawyer may be, he will not be able to make use of his knowledge and experience in the classroom or the court of law if he does not have good memory. How would a professor be impressive and teach effectively if he forgets the lessons he had prepared for a particular lecture? No lawyer could present his case fluently and argue forcefully if he has to refer to books or notes every now and then during a hearing.
Weak memory will seriously harm a businessman who has to remember the names, nature and hobbies of hundreds of old and new customers. A leader has to be an impressive orator if he wants to motivate the masses. How could he do so without remembering his well-prepared speeches or recalling the facts and figures on current topics extempore? Many students fail in exams due to lack of memory; in spite of hard work and understanding of the subjects, some students do not write well in the papers because they forget almost everything they had studied.
Self-Restraint is Necessary to Maintain Memory
It should be noted that unrestrained sensual indulgence, concupiscence, erotic thinking, excessive consumption of fast foods, unnatural or stressful mode of living etc., induce negative effects on the brain due to loss of vital energy and over-excitation of the mind and the sensory organs, thus weakening the memory. Erogenous thoughts, furore, jealousy and similar kinds of sentimental malice and the mental suppressions and disturbances caused by anxiety, despair, worries, illusions etc. are all natural enemies of memory.
Relevant Healthcare Tips
People suffering from amnesia or dim memory should review their mode of living, habits and psychological characteristics before consulting a doctor. If one is determined to elevate his mental powers, he can eliminate the causes of deficiencies by self-effort. If the memory has weakened because of some head injury, mental shock or physiological disorder, specialist's help becomes inevitable.
Natural products, rich in vitamin A, vitamin B, phosphorous, calcium and iron should be consumed every day in such a manner that the meals remain light and balanced. Dry fruits like chestnuts, almonds, dry raisins; seasonal fruits like dates, figs, coconuts, citron, papaya, orange, apple, grapes, strawberry, pears, cucumber, muskmelon; along with carrots, beet-root, tomatoes, turnip, cabbage, radish and other vegetables — especially green leafy vegetables — could be very useful. Chapaties of coarse wheat flour, porridge accompanied by pulses like lentil and green peas should also be added in the meals.
Milk is often recommended as a natural tonic for brain. However, only cow-milk has this property. The milk of a goat contains lesser amounts of vital elements. The milk of buffalo is heavy and rich in fats — it increases fat but does not strengthen the brain. Small amounts of fresh tepid milk of cow consumed early morning every day is found to be most suitable as a brain-tonic.
Importance of Mental Purity
Self-restraint in sensual pleasure and avoidance of mental excitation is essential for maintaining smooth functioning of the mind-body system. If one improves the eating habits and general mode of living but neglects the protection of chastity, he would not benefit anything in terms of mental refinement. The vital elements stored for strengthening the brain would be lost rapidly in the activities of sexual indulgence. Observance of chastity is considered to be the principal factor in preserving vital energy and the subtler constituents of prāṇa and is therefore important in any attempt aimed at strengthening the brain.
Jealousy, animosity and anger disrupt the harmony of physical and mental functions. The brain-cells are more sensitive and delicate — these get burnt in the heat of the mental excitations caused by such negative feelings. Over-ambitiousness and excess of attachment and worries also weakens mental health faster than the deterioration at physical levels. Aspirants for healthy mind and sharp memory should protect themselves from mental malice, excitements, depressions and anxiety.
Neuroscience research has shown that bioelectrical flows across the memory cells are accelerated in a cheerful state of mind. Cultivation of an attitude of satisfaction and optimistic temperament keeps the mind calm in most situations. Tolerance and patience could be easily observed with such mentality.
Swādhyāya and Satsanga and yoga exercises of harmonious breathing (prāṇāyāma) provide excellent support in self-restraint and inspire creative activities. Adoption of simplicity and austerity in lifestyle, external and internal purity, honesty and modesty, and cultivation of creative hobbies are sure means of strengthening mental faculties including memory. Focused attempts and stability of a clean and balanced mind in any activity or observation harmoniously stimulate the flow of bio-electrical currents across the nerve cells which lead to gradual sharpening of the memory.
Notes:
- Swādhyāya: Self-study and self-training in the light of sagacious thoughts and teachings of elevated souls.
- Satsang: Enlightening discourses, discussions; being in the company of saintly personalities.
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